大穗结缕草幼苗耐盐生理机制及耐盐能力研究

以大穗结缕草为实验材料,采用不同质量分数的NaCl处理后,观察盐胁迫对其生长及生理生化指标的影响.结果表明:随着盐胁迫浓度增大,大穗结缕草幼苗株高、鲜重、干重都逐渐下降,而根容量和根冠比却逐渐上升;随盐胁迫浓度的增大,大穗结缕草幼苗叶片细胞质膜透性和MDA含量逐渐增加,脯氨酸含量持续升高;其多数生长和生理指标在≥2.0% NaCl盐胁迫浓度下与对照差异显著,且此时的脯氨酸含量是对照的10倍以上.研究发现,大穗结缕草幼苗地上部分对盐胁迫更敏感、受害更严重;通过体内脯氨酸积累来减轻渗透胁迫是其可能的耐盐生理机制;2.0%盐胁迫可能是大穗结缕草的最高耐盐浓度.     

Halopriming of seeds imparts tolerance to NaCl and PEG induced stress in Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek varieties

The investigation was carried out to study the effect of halopriming on NaCl and polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG-6000) induced stress tolerance potential of three Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek varieties, with varied abiotic stress tolerance potential. Halopriming is a seed priming technique in which the seeds were soaked in various salt solutions (in this study NaCl was used). The results of the study indicated that the application of stresses (both NaCl and PEG) induced retardation of growth attributes (measured in terms of shoot length, fresh weight, dry weight) and decrease in physiological attributes like total chlorophyll content, metabolites, photosynthetic and mitochondrial activity of the seedlings in all three V. radiata (L.) varieties. However, halopriming of the seeds could reduce the extent of decrease in these biological attributes. NaCl and PEG stress also caused increase in MDA content (a product of membrane lipid peroxidation) in all the varieties studied and this increase was significantly minimized under halopriming. From the present investigation it was evident that among the green gram varieties studied, Pusa Vishal, a NaCl tolerant variety showed enhanced tolerance to NaCl and PEG induced stress, when the seeds were subjected to halopriming followed by Pusa Ratna (stress sensitive variety). Pusa 9531 (drought tolerant variety) also showed positive halopriming effects but it was less significant when compared to other two varieties. It could be concluded that halopriming improved the drought and salinity stress tolerance potential of all varieties and it was significantly higher in the Pusa Vishal as compared to Pusa 9531 and Pusa Ratna.     

Growth and Solute Composition in Two Wheat Species Experiencing Combined Influence of Stress Conditions1

The effects of environmental stress combinations on the soluble metabolites were investigated in several cultivars of Triticum aestivum and T. durum. The seedlings grown at optimum (24/16°C), low (5/–5°C) (LT), and high (40/30°C) (HT) day/night temperature conditions were exposed to waterlogging, drought, and salinity (0.7% NaCl, w/w) stresses for six days. Root and shoot fresh weight significantly decreased under waterlogging, drought and salt stresses. Fresh weight was most reduced at severe drought + HT combinations. The lowest relative water content was found under drought stress + HT combination. Soluble carbohydrate (SC) contents increased under LT conditions, but decreased under HT conditions. Under HT + salt combinations, T. aestivum genotypes showed higher SC content thanT. durum genotypes. Proline content significantly increased in the case of water deficit and salt stress. Under drought and salt stresses, T. aestivum genotypes had lower proline contents than T. durum genotypes. These results indicate that biochemical responses to drought, waterlogging, and salt stresses were significantly changed in wheat seedlings under LT and HT conditions.     

Effect of NaCl stress on rice physiological properties

Salinity is a major yield-reducing factor in coastal and arid irrigated rice production systems. Rice seedlings (Oryza sativa cv. Tarom Atri) were exposed to different NaCl concentrations for 8 days after germination. Plants height, fresh and dry weight, relative water content, pigment and carbohydrate content, photosynthetic efficiency and lipid peroxidase and antioxidant enzyme activity of rice seedlings grown under salt stress were investigated. Seedling grown under 25and 50 mM salt were shorter than the control. They could, however, develop their secondary leaves. Seedlings grown in the nutrient solution supplied with 100 and 200 mM extra salt could not develop their secondary leaves. Fresh weight ofseedlings grown under salt stress reduced up to 42.2% of the non-treated seedlings. Chlorophylls and carotenoids contents decreased significantly in the salt-treated seedlings. Carotenoid contents in NaCl-treated seedlings were decreased to 39.3%. No significant changes occurred in the photochemical efficiency of control and stressed plants. Increasing concentrations of NaCl resulted in increase and decrease of Na⁺ and K⁺ ions, respectively. NaCl salinity caused an increase in both peroxide content and lipid peroxidation. Seedlings which recovered for 24 h showed lower peroxide and malondialdehyde content.     

等渗Ca(NO3)2和NaCl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗生长及渗透调节物质含量的影响

采用营养液培养方法,以耐盐性较弱的‘津春2号’黄瓜品种为试材,研究了等渗Ca(NO3)2和NaCl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗生长、根系电解质渗透率、根系活力、Na+和K+含量及渗透调节物质含量的影响。结果显示:(1)在84mmol.L-1 NaCl和56mmol.L-1 Ca(NO3)2等渗胁迫下,黄瓜幼苗鲜重和干重均显著下降,且NaCl处理下降的幅度大于等渗Ca(NO3)2处理。(2)NaCl主要通过对黄瓜根系的伤害来抑制植株生长,表现为根系活力下降、根系质膜透性增大、Na+大量积累、K+含量显著下降、Na+/K+明显上升,最终导致根冠比下降;而Ca(NO3)2处理对根系质膜透性、K+含量、Na+/K+的影响均小于NaCl胁迫,且根系活力和根冠比上升,但Ca(NO3)2胁迫后叶片含水量和渗透调节能力均小于NaCl胁迫。(3)NaCl胁迫条件下,黄瓜幼苗内渗透调节物质以可溶性糖为主,而Ca(NO3)2胁迫以可溶性蛋白为主。研究表明,NaCl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗的伤害大于等渗Ca(NO3)2,NaCl主要通过破坏根系质膜结构影响植株生长,而Ca(NO3)2主要通过引起地上部生理干旱来影响植株生长。     

NaCl pretreatment alleviates salt stress by enhancement of antioxidant defense system and osmolyte accumulation in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

Enhancement of salt (NaCl) tolerance by pretreatment with sublethal dose (50 mM) of NaCl was investigated in V. radiata seedlings. NaCl stress caused drastic effects on roots compared to shoots. Accompanying reductions in length, number of root hairs and branches, roots became stout, brittle and brown in color. Salt stress caused gradual reduction in chlorophyll, carotenoid pigment contents and chlorophyll fluorescence intensity also. Superoxide dismutase and catechol peroxidase activities increased under stress in both roots and leaves. But catalase activity showed an increase in roots and decrease in leaves. In these seedlings, the oxidative stress has been observed under salinity stress and the level of proline, H2O2 and malondialdehyde content were increased. But pretreatment with sublethal dose of NaCl was able to overcome the adverse effects of stress imposed by NaCl to variable extents by increasing growth and photosynthetic pigments of the seedlings, modifying the activities of antioxidant enzymes, reducing malondialdehyde and H2O2 content and increasing accumulation of osmolytes like proline. Thus, mungbean plants can acclimate to lethal level of salinity by pretreatment with sublethal level of NaCl, improving their health and production under saline condition.     

Effect of salinity on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) during seed germination stage

A study was conducted using ten genetically diverse genotypes along with their 45F₁ (generated by diallel mating) under normal and salt stress conditions. Although, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is moderately sensitive to salinity but more attention to salinity is yet to be required in the production of tomato. In present study, germination rate, speed of germination, dry weight ratio and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio in root and shoot, were the parameters assayed on three salinity levels; control, 1.0 % NaCl and 3.0 % NaCl with Hoagland’s solution. Increasing salt stress negatively affected growth and development of tomato. When salt concentration increased, germination of tomato seed was reduced and the time needed to complete germination lengthened, root/shoot dry weight ratio was higher and Na⁺ content increased but K⁺ content decreased. Among the varieties, Sel-7 followed by Arka Vikas and crosses involving them as a parent were found to be the more tolerant genotypes in the present study on the basis of studied parameters.     

Physiological,biochemical and molecular evaluation of mungbean genotypes for agronomical yield under drought and salinity stresses in the presence of humic acid

Drought and salinity are potential threats in arid and semi arid regions. The current study was conducted with objective to optimize the production of different exotic genotypes of mungbean (NM-121-25, Chakwal M-6, DM-3 and PRI-Mung-2018) under drought and salinity stresses using humic acid in field experiments. One year tri-replicate field experiment was performed in RCBD using three factorial arrangement and effects of humic acid (60 kg ha^?1) were evaluated at physiological, biochemical, molecular and agronomical level under individual and integrated applications of drought (no irrigation till 15 days) and salinity (EC 6.4 dSM^?1). Data for physiological parameters (total chlorophyll, photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and membrane damage), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase) and proline were collected on weekly basis since after the initiation of drought and salinity stresses. However data for agronomic characteristics (plant height, branches plant^?1, LAI, pods plant^?1, pod length and hundred seed weight) and grain carbohydrate content were collected after harvesting, while sampling for drought (VrDREB2A, VrbZIP17 and VrHsfA6a) and salinity (VrWRKY73, VrUBC1 and VrNHX1) related genes expression study was done after plants attained seedling stage. Under both individual and integrated applications of drought and salinity, all genotypes showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in all traits excluding Cell membrane damage and proline during humic acid application. Likewise, genes expression revealed statistically distinct (p ≤ 0.05) up-regulation under humic acid treatment as compared to no humic acid treatment during both individual and integrated applications of drought and salinity. The genotype PRI-Mung-2018 recorded noteworthy performance during study. Moreover correlation and PCA analysis revealed that ultimate agronomical yield due to humic acid is an outcome of interconnection of physiological and biochemical parameters.     

Paclobutrazol mitigates salt stress in <Emphasis Type="Italic">indica</Emphasis> rice seedlings by enhancing glutathione metabolism and glyoxalase system

Stress-induced methylglyoxal (MG) functions as a toxic molecule, inhibiting plant physiological processes such as photosynthesis and antioxidant defense systems. In the present study, an attempt was made to investigate the MG detoxification through glutathione metabolism in indica rice [Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica cv. Pathumthani 1] under salt stress by exogenous foliar application of paclobutrazol (PBZ). Fourteen-day-old rice seedlings were pretreated with 15 mg L^?1 PBZ foliar spray. After 7 days, rice seedlings were subsequently exposed to 0 (control) or 150 mM NaCl (salt stress) for 12 days. Prolonged salt stress enhanced the production of MG molecules and the oxidation of proteins, leading to decreased activity of glyoxalase enzymes, glyoxalase I (Gly I) and glyoxalase II (Gly II). Consequently, the decreased glyoxalase activities were also associated with a decline in reduced glutathione (GSH) content and glutathione reductase (GR) activity. PBZ pretreatment of rice seedlings under salt stress significantly lowered MG production and protein oxidation, and increased the activities of both Gly I and Gly II. PBZ also increased GSH content and GR activity along with the up-regulation of glyoxalase enzymes, under salt stress. In summary, salinity induced a high level of MG and the associated oxidative damage, while PBZ application reduced the MG toxicity by up-regulating glyoxalase and glutathione defense system in rice seedlings.     

盐胁迫对槲树(Quercus dentata)幼苗离子平衡及其生理生化特性的影响

检测NaCl胁迫对槲树（Quercus dentata）幼苗离子平衡和生理生化特性的影响,为揭示槲树的耐盐机理,其在园林中的推广应用提供参考。以一年生槲树实生苗作为实验材料,经100、200、300 mmol/L的NaCl溶液浇灌处理30 d,测定不同时间的离子含量和生理生化指标变化。结果表明,随NaCl浓度的增加和处理的时间延长,槲树各指标表现出以下规律：（1）根茎叶积累大量Na⁺,引起离子毒害,导致叶片受损,根系Na⁺含量显著高于地上部分,这种补偿作用有助于减轻地上部分受到的损害;（2）各部分K⁺含量降低,根部较茎叶更为显著,导致Na⁺/K⁺明显升高;（3）Ca²⁺由根部向地上部分转运,在叶片中浓度显著增加,有助于建立新的离子稳态;（4）Mg²⁺含量总体上呈降低趋势;（5）叶片含水量逐渐降低,丙二醛含量和相对电导率逐步升高,且在重度胁迫下的变化更显著;（6）轻度盐胁迫下,叶片过氧化物酶（POD）活性无显著变化,而过氧化氢酶（CAT）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性逐渐升高,在重度胁迫下3种酶活性出现降低;（7）脯氨酸和可溶性糖少量积累,辅助调节渗透平衡。总之,槲树幼苗能够通过调控离子平衡,提升抗氧化酶活性,积累渗透调节物,从而提高耐盐性,抵御200 mmol/L以下的NaCl胁迫。     

Insights into Salt Stress-Induced Biochemical,Molecular and Epigenetic Regulation of Spatial Responses in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) is a rich source of nutritionally good quality proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. However, environmental stresses adversely affect its productivity. Only limited reports are available on biochemical/physiological responses of pigeonpea under salt stress. The objectives of the present study were to screen pigeonpea germplasm accessions for salt stress tolerance, followed by understanding their biochemical, epigenetic and molecular responses. Based on germination, growth, and vigor of seedlings under salt stress, the most contrasting pair of salt-responsive genotypes (ICP1071- most salt-sensitive, and ICP7- most salt-tolerant) were selected. Three-week-old seedlings subjected to 250 mM NaCl stress for 7 days showed a significant increase in proline and reducing sugar contents in the case of ICP7, whereas a considerable increase in cell wall-degrading enzyme activity and protein oxidation was observed in ICP1071. Superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activity increased considerably in shoots of ICP7. We observed the CcCYP gene to be upregulated in root, whereas CcCDR was upregulated in shoots of the salt-tolerant genotype to provide protection against the stress. The extent of DNA hypomethylation in the contrasting pigeonpea genotypes under salt stress was correlated with their salt tolerance level. Bisulfite sequencing of CcCDR revealed that methylation of three cytosine residues in CHH context in shoots of the ICP7 genotype due to salt stress results in 2.6-fold upregulated expression of the gene. With a 6.8% increase in methylation of the coding region of CcCDR, its expression level increased by 22%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a comprehensive study of salt-induced biochemical, epigenetic and molecular responses of pigeonpea, which might be useful in the development of improved salt-tolerant variety.

     

木薯华南8号组培苗对盐胁迫的生理响应

以NaCl胁迫生长的木薯(Manihot esculenta)华南8号(SC8)组培苗为材料,研究不同浓度(0、5、20、35、50 mmol·L-1及R50 mmol·L-1)NaCl处理对SC8组培苗的生长状况及叶绿素、过氧化氢(H2 O2)、丙二醛(MDA)含量,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性的影响.结果表明:≤20 mmol·L-1的NaCl胁迫60 d对SC8组培苗的生长基本无影响;≥35 mmol·L-1的NaCl胁迫60 d抑制了SC8组培苗的生长,但高浓度(50 mmol·L-1)胁迫30 d后正常培养30 d,可以使SC8组培苗的长势得到恢复.叶绿素和MDA含量在≤35 mmol·L-1 NaCl处理下较对照出现积累现象,随NaCl浓度升高(≥50 mmol·L-1)含量开始下降;与对照相比,H2 O2含量在NaCl胁迫下未出现积累现象.NaCl胁迫下,POD、CAT和APX活性较对照均有所提高;较高浓度的NaCl处理下,SOD、CAT和APX活性开始降低.实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,≥50 mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下,SOD、CAT、POD和APX的表达水平较对照出现上升现象.这说明短时间的盐胁迫不会对木薯造成致死伤害,可以通过调节生理指标的活性来提高木薯的耐盐性.     

Improving salt tolerance by exogenous application of salicylic acid in seedlings of pistachio

Salicylic acid (SA) is a common, plant-produced signal molecule that is responsible for inducing tolerance to a number of biotic and abiotic stresses. An experiment was therefore conducted to test whether the application of SA at various concentrations (0, 0.10, 0.50, or 1.00 mM) as a foliar spray would protect pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) seedlings subjected to salt stress (0, 30, 60, or 90 mM NaCl). SA improved growth rate of pistachio seedlings under salt stress and increased relative leaf chlorophyll content, relative water content, chlorophyll fluorescence ratio, and photosynthetic capacity as compared with the control at the end of salt stress. SA ameliorated the salt stress injuries by inhibiting increases in proline content and leaf electrolyte leakage. It appeared the best ameliorative remedies of SA obtained when pistachio seedlings were sprayed at 0.50 and 1.00 mM.     

盐分胁迫对啤酒大麦幼苗生长、离子平衡和根际pH变化的影响

盐分胁迫不仅影响植物的生长,而且会影响植物根际微域环境。根际pH的改变对土壤养分的有效性和微生物群落组成的变化有重要影响。为了探究啤酒大麦幼苗对不同类型盐分胁迫的生理生态响应机制和根际pH变化影响的生理机制,采用水培法,通过不同类型盐分(对照、混合Na盐、混合Cl盐和NaCl)胁迫处理啤酒大麦幼苗,对其生长、离子平衡和根际pH变化进行了研究。结果表明,1)在3种不同类型盐分胁迫下,啤酒大麦幼苗地上部干重、含水量均有所降低,而根冠比增加,尤其在NaCl胁迫下啤酒大麦幼苗地上部干重较对照显著降低了17.88%,而根干重和根冠比则分别增加了19.12%和43.86%。不同类型盐分胁迫抑制了啤酒大麦幼苗根长的生长,尤其在混合Na盐胁迫下根长降低明显(P0.05),但促进了根表面积和根体积的增加,尤其在混合Cl盐胁迫下,根表面积和根体积分别增加了41.76%和84.38%。2)不同类型盐分胁迫下啤酒大麦幼苗地上部离子平衡发生改变,在混合Na盐和NaCl胁迫下啤酒大麦幼苗主要吸收Na~+,地上部K~+/Na~+、Ca~(2+)/Na~+和Mg~(2+)/Na~+显著降低;混合Cl盐和NaCl胁迫下则过量吸收Cl~-,抑制了H_2PO_4~-、NO_3~-和SO_4~(2-)的吸收。3)在混合Na盐、混合Cl盐和NaCl盐分胁迫下,啤酒大麦幼苗对阴离子的吸收总量高于对阳离子的吸收总量,离子平衡计算结果表明根际呈碱化现象,与原位显色结果一致,且在混合Cl盐胁迫下根际碱化程度最大。     

Effects of 24-epibrassinolide on seed germination, seedling growth, lipid peroxidation, proline content and antioxidative system of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under salinity stress

The effects of 24-epibrassinolide (24-epiBL) on seedling growth, antioxidative system, lipid peroxidation, proline and soluble protein content were investigated in seedlings of the salt-sensitive rice cultivar IR-28. Seedling growth of rice plants was improved by 24-epiBL treatment under salt stress conditions. When seedlings treated with 24-epiBL were subjected to 120 mM NaCl stress, the activities of superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) and glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) did not show significant difference, whereas the activity of ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) significantly increased. Increased activity of peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) under NaCl stress showed remarkable decrease in the 24-epiBL+NaCl-applied group. Lipid peroxidation level significantly increased under salt stress but decreased with 24-epiBL application revealing that less oxidative damage occurred in this group (24-epiBL+NaCl). In addition, increased proline content in the NaCl-applied group was decreased by 24-epiBL application in the 24-epiBL+NaCl-applied group. Soluble protein content was increased by 24-epiBL application even under NaCl stress, being also higher than control conditions (no 24-epiBL or NaCl treatment). 24-epiBL treatment considerably alleviated oxidative damage that occurred under NaCl-stressed conditions and improved seedling growth in part under salt stress in sensitive IR-28 seedlings.     

Exogenous salicylic acid improves salinity tolerance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nitraria tangutorum</Emphasis>

In the present study, the physiological responses of Nitraria tangutorum Bobr. seedlings to NaCl stress and the regulatory function of exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA) were investigated. NaCl in low concentration (100 mM) increased while in higher concentrations (200–400 mM) decreased the individual plant dry weights (wt) of seedlings. Decreased relative water content (RWC) and chlorophyll content were observed in the leaves of seedlings subjected to salinity stress (100–400 mM NaCl). Furthermore, NaCl stress significantly increased electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The levels of osmotic adjustment solutes including proline, soluble sugars, and soluble protein were enhanced under NaCl treatments as compared to the control. In contrast, exogenous application of SA (0.5–1.5 mM) to the roots of seedlings showed notable amelioration effects on the inhibition of individual plant dry wt, RWC, and chlorophyll content. The increases in electrolyte leakage and MDA content in the leaves of NaCl-treated seedlings were markedly inhibited by SA application. The SA application further increased the contents of proline, soluble sugars, and soluble protein. The activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were up-regulated by NaCl stress and the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT were further enhanced by SA treatments. Application of SA in low concentration (0.5 mM) enhanced while in higher concentrations (1.0 and 1.5 mM) inhibited APX activities in leaves of NaCl-treated seedlings. These results indicate that SA effectively alleviated the adverse effects of NaCl stress on N. tangutorum.     

Biochemical Alterations in Foliar Tissues of Citrus Genotypes Screened In vitro for Salinity Tolerance

Soil salinity is a prime impediment in the commercial production of citrus. In the present study two citrus rootstock genotypes viz. Citrus jambhiri and Citrus karna were cultured in vitro and exposed to NaCl salt stress. The previously standardized protocol was used for culture establishment and in vitro shoot and root regeneration. NaCl in different concentrations (25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 mM) was added in standardized regeneration and rooting media to note the biochemical changes due to salinity stress. Results revealed that salinity stress adversely affected the shoot and root differentiation and proved lethal above 100 mM NaCl. The hardening was also hampered due to salt stress. Among different biochemical parameters, proline, total soluble proteins and total sugars accumulation were enhanced however; total chlorophyll content was reduced under salinity stress. The revelation of some new protein polypeptides (21, 26 and 54 kDa) at different increasing salinity levels was attributed to their significance in stress alleviation.     

Effects of paclobutrazol on cultivars of Chinese bayberry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Myrica rubra</Emphasis>) under salinity stress

Salt stress is one of the most critical factors hindering the growth and development of plants. Paclobutrazol (PBZ) is widely used to minimize this problem in agriculture because it can induce salt stress tolerance in plants. This study investigated the effects of PBZ on salt tolerance of seedlings from two Chinese bayberry cultivars (i.e., Wangdao and Shenhong). Plants were treated with three salt concentrations (0, 0.2, and 0.4 % NaCl) and two PBZ concentrations (0 and 2.0 μmol L^–1). Application of PBZ increased a relative water content, proline content, chlorophyll (a+b) content, and antioxidant enzyme activities in both cultivars, resulting in a better acclimation to salt stress and an increase in dry matter production. We concluded that PBZ ameliorated the negative effects of salt stress in Chinese bayberry seedlings.     

Growth and proline accumulation in mungbean seedlings as affected by sodium chloride

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek cv. Sujata and cv. K851) seedlings were grown in paper towelins in dark under 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 % (m/v) NaCl salinity. Germination percentage, shoot and root length, fresh mass of both cultivars decreased with salinity. Total soluble saccharides and proline accumulated in the root and shoot of salt stressed seedlings. The proline accumulation in the root was four to five times higher than that of the shoot of NaCl treated etiolated mungbean seedlings.